DECISION AWAITED ON TRANSFER OF STREET FOR I-95 INTERCHANGE

DEERFIELD BEACH - Construction of an interchange at Interstate 95 and Southwest 10th Street is a step closer.

Officials from the state Department of Transportation have recommended transferring a section of Southwest 10th Street to the state highway system. The transfer is the first step toward constructing an interchange that would connect the Sawgrass Expressway to I-95, said Bruce Seiler, planning engineer.

Many residents at a recent public hearing complained that construction of an interchange would increase pollution and traffic problems in the area.

Seiler said the secretary of transportation will consider the street transfer on Friday.

"If the secretary approves the action, the road will be transferred to state jurisdiction at that time," Seiler said.

The letter states that no valid reasons for not transferring the road to the state were given at the Feb. 18 public hearing.

Rich Pereira, engineer for transportation impacts, said a feasibility report prepared by DOT for the interchange was approved by the federal Highway Administration on March 13.

Pereira also said an environmental impact study is almost ready for submission to the Highway Administration.

If no serious problems are predicted, the state will build the interchange, Seiler said.

According to Pereira, the interchange would be built in two phases. The first phase will include temporary on-off ramps to I-95.

The second phase would be to build a more sophisticated interchange with three- or four-level flyovers, he said.